Patrick Brown, who announced Thursday that he is stepping down as Ontario Progressive Conservative party leader, answers student questions at Western University during a stop in London in November. (File photo)

Related Stories

Women’s advocates and political scientists are raising eyebrows over a Southwestern Ontario MPP’s staunch support of Patrick Brown.

Rick Nicholls, Progressive Conservative MPP for Chatham-Kent-Essex, told Postmedia News Thursday that it was Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne — not Brown — who should have stepped down Thursday.

“She’s the one that should be resigning, not Patrick,” Nicholls said, citing political scandals like the cancelled gas plants that have dogged the Liberals.

Nicholls praised Brown’s work ethic and his leadership in pulling the party out of debt and increasing its membership.

“I’m just extremely disappointed, not in him (Brown). I really feel for him right now, I really do.”

Nicholls said he spoke to Brown and told him he still supports him.

Brown announced he was stepping down as party leader in a statement early Thursday. It came just hours after a hastily called news conference at which Brown denied allegations of sexual misconduct made against him by two women in a CTV News report.

Southwestern Ontario is a bedrock for the Tories. The seven MPPs from the 10-riding London region represent nearly one-quarter of the party’s caucus and will play a key role in selecting its interim leader.

With the exception of Nicholls and Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP Monte McNaughton, who didn’t issue his own statement or respond to an interview request, the region’s Tory MPPs denounced sexual harassment and said Brown had to go.

“This is not the time to play politics, not with this serious issue,” she said.

“The fact that he wouldn’t use this opportunity to talk about that broader issue of sexualized violence, and especially when sexualized violence in the workplace is such a current issue, that’s disappointing.”

And it’s not likely to do Nicholls any favours politically, said Nelson Wiseman, a University of Toronto political scientist.

“I don’t think his making this comment helps him. There isn’t any upside to being (hit) with these (allegations),” he said.

The political climate in Chatham-Kent is likely to determine just how damaging Nicholls’ comments turn out to be, Wiseman said, noting he could get “clobbered” on the issue by his opponents as the provincial campaign heats up, especially if the local race is tight.

There’s a vast difference between personal scandals and political ones, he added.

“This is a different kind of a scandal. You can just see right off the bat,” Wiseman said of the allegations against Brown. “This raises moral and ethical and societal issues that are broader.”

It’s part of a larger shift that has brought allegations of sexual assault and harassment to the surface in a number of industries, including on the red carpet.

AnnaLise Trudell, manager of education at Anova in London, said Nicholls’ take is most certainly a “deflection” from the broader issue. It’s unfair to brush off the bravery of the women who have come forward against Brown by comparing the situation to political scandal or policy differences, she said.

“This is personal, invasive harm to individuals, and this is not the same thing as funding something or not,” Trudell said.

“Who do we want to be representing us, and who do we want to be holding in high esteem?” she asked.

--- --- ---

WHAT THEY SAID

"The Ontario PC Party unequivocally upholds the principle that a safe and respectful society is what we expect and deserve. We need to move forward to eradicate sexual violence and harassment across the province.”

Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey

"Sexual violence and harassment cannot be tolerated. While due process must be followed with respect to the allegations against Mr. Brown, I support our caucus’s decisive decision that he could not lead us into the next election.”

Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece

"Last night our caucus unanimously agreed . . . Patrick Brown could no longer lead our party into the election. I am pleased that Patrick Brown has done the right thing and resigned.”

Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman

“While Patrick Brown remains the leader of the Ontario PC Party, I can no longer, in good conscience, allow my name to stand.”

Ed Holder, who was a candidate for the PC nomination in London West, in an email to supporters. Holder didn’t confirm if he’s continuing to seek the nomination.

“As a father to two young daughters, these horrific allegations cut me to my core. My heart goes out to the courageous women who have stepped forward.”

Jake Skinner, a candidate for the PC nomination in London West, who suspended his campaign after Brown’s news conference and later resumed it.

“I decided to join my colleagues and friends and have stepped aside from my role.”

Josh Workman, the PCs’ deputy campaign manager and a London-based political strategist, in a statement posted on Twitter.

“They need someone who is capable of commanding respect from all parts of the party and that’s not easy.”

Cristine de Clercy, Western University political science professor.

“They need someone who can speak to urban Ontario. That’s where this election will be won or lost.”

Peter Woolstencroft, retired University of Waterloo political science professor